Heya everyone! Blizzard back with another chapter of ITWC (finally, I'm sorry)! A couple reminders to wash your hands, stay at least 6 feet away from other people while outside, and be careful about keeping yourself as far away as possible from contracting this new coronavirus disease.

Without further ado, onto the chapter! ~

   The warning hiss, followed by a wave of rotten breath, launched Kai and Jay into a fierce battle. Pale bones flashed through the woods, claws slashed through the eerie air. Kai knew Jay needed his wounds to heal after his previous battle with the skeleton cats, but there were too many of the putrid-smelling enemies already starting to tighten in a circle around him to take out on his own and reach Jay.

   Skeletal claws dug into Kai's fiery fur, tearing chunks out of his pelt and leaving the vulnerable skin underneath exposed to the attackers. Kai thrust out his paws, twisted, ducked blows, did everything he could to get himself out of the tight spot he was in, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the bony cats off of him. 

   Pain surged through his body as one of the bony claws slashed at Kai's face, digging into his scar. Kai roared in anger, the sheer volume of his roar making the skeletons take a step back, allowing him to lash out his claws and break free of the tight circle.

   Finally Kai was able to reach Jay. He was being torn apart - quite literally. Blood was pooling beneath his stained messy pelt and unstable legs. As he collapsed, Kai rushed over to the weak tom and fought off the skeletons around him, bringing his thoughts of Nya to the front of his mind to help fuel his energy. Kai started to insult the "vile bone piles," "rotten cat-nappers," "skeletal nuisances," and whatever other names he could come up with as his paws struck faster and faster with each blow.  

   In a whirlwind the battle was over. The skeletons retreated, their leader flashing a final glare at Kai. "This isn't the last you'll see of my Skulkins," the leader hissed, melting into the darkness. A clatter of bones, then silence.

   Now that the threat had passed, the only sound left in the battlefield was Jay's coughing. Kai turned to his companion. He couldn't help but shrink in horror at the amounts of red pouring from his pelt. Every scar from before seemed deeper; painted with a deeper shade of red. Anything that had attempted to heal before was torn right open again, and almost no gray could be seen over the shades of red. Jay's blue eyes were dull, and he was coughing up blood.

   Kai may hate Jay, but he didn't want this to happen to him. Never in a million lifetimes would he wish this on anyone but whoever did this to him. 

   A liquid trickled down Kai's face and dripped onto his left paw. He ignored the pain on the left side of his face and focused on Jay.

   "Come on, Jay," Kai growled, a little terrified. Jay's eyes were fixed on Kai in awe. His breath was coming in short gasps.

   "...Kai?..." His voice was barely a whisper. "What... what was that...what happened...Kai?"

   "Stay here," Kai instructed, struggling to tear his gaze away from the dying cat. "I'm going to get help."

   That's not your friend, Kai.

   That doesn't matter! Someone's dying! You have to find help!

   But it's Jay. You've always thought of him as a threat to Nya. Untrustworthy junkyard cat. 

   He can't just die like this! He didn't hurt Nya! He wanted to help you!

   He should die.

   No! He's depending on you! You're his friend now! You're all he has left if he wants to survive!

   "Whoa, is something wrong?" A new voice asked, slicing into Kai's thoughts. "Better watch where you're going."

   "Urgh..." Kai shook himself and looked up. A muscular brown tom stood in front of him, his long tail flicking back and forth. Long tail... A confused but calm expression sat upon the tom's face, highlighted by amber eyes that shone with just a flicker of worry.

   I can't believe I'm doing this. "Hi," Kai started, shuffling his paws. Jay! Don't forget Jay! "My, uh, friend needs help. I was wondering if you could help?"

   The new cat cocked his head sideways. "How bad?"

   Kai gulped. First Master... "He's... dying."

   The tom's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say so?" He immediately assumed a ready stance. Man, that cat looked sturdy. "Show me!"

   Kai at first hesitated, until he heard Nya's voice in his head. 

   Kai, come on! Help me get Jay out of here! I know you don't like him, but would you like him to die, bonehead?

   Kai jerked himself awake and whipped around, leading the new cat towards the dying bluebird.

If any of you think this is a bit short, that's because I cut out most of the excess stuff I wrote in the original draft of this chapter. Most of it just stalled the story (and kinda allowed Jay to die a little bit more O~O), and it really just wasn't needed. 

I managed to spit out this chapter in the nick of time for me, because I'm really HYPED to publish the next one already! I have half of this book drafted out and kinda wish I have it all out already, but edits have to be made to my drafts, so...

Anyways, until the next chapter, cya and peace out!